Ken Holt Series - Sales Concerns

Comments on Grosset & Dunlap's Marketing

 

Date From To Quotes
2/16/1951 Hugh Juergens (G&D) Sam Epstein The only trouble is that I can't explain why these excellent books haven't done better."...
"On answer is that so far we have been unable to get the series listed in the mail order catalogs.  The sales department has promised to keep on trying to get more space in those catalogs which have so much to do with the success of the G&D series. T hey list the Bobbsey Twins, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Lone Ranger  --- and that's all! ....
"Sam, I hope you don't get too plumb discouraged with constantly putting out and getting so little in return"
1/24/1956 Sam Epstein Edward Roberts "I am also attaching a memorandum on the series which may be useful in giving you a quick idea of the scope of the books and the "RULES" by which I write them" ...
"Neither boy has superhuman strength or bravery.  They don't look for trouble and are often scared when they find it." ....
"The crimes involved are limited to the less bloody types, such as smuggling, theft, etc. There are no murders and no sex" ....
"No villain has a foreign name, but some "good guys" have."
9/9/1959 Sam Epstein Anne Hagan (G&D) [Vol.15]  "It has occurred to us more than once to question seriously the wisdom of continuing a series which shows no signs of increasing its earnings, and which demands more of our time for each book."

 

Last RevisionSeptember 23, 2006 03:16 PM